The NFL’s deadline for teams to reduce their rosters from up to 90 players down to just 53 is rapidly approaching, on Aug. 26.
The Indianapolis Colts, who have 91 players due to an international player exemption for Maximilian Mang, have begun to whittle down to the magic number with four cuts made on Monday.
Per Aaron Wilson, the Colts have released cornerback Alex Johnson, defensive tackle Devonta Davis and linebackers Joseph Vaughn and Solomon DeShields.
Johnson is the first of a few difficult decisions the Colts face when it comes to selecting their cornerback group for 2025. While he couldn’t quite crack the depth chart in Indianapolis, he’s likely to have interest around the league after a stellar preseason in which he earned an impressive 90.3 coverage grade from Pro Football Focus.
Davis, an undrafted free agent, will be subjected to the waiver wire. Per Wilson, the Colts could have interest in bringing him back on the practice squad if he clears waivers.
The linebacker position was left thin in training camp as Zaire Franklin worked back from an ankle injury and Jaylon Carlies, the favorite to start next to Franklin, went down with a groin injury which has kept him sidelined for a few weeks now. Regardless, neither Vaughn nor DeShields were able to stand out amongst an otherwise underwhelming group.
The Colts are likely to make some additions at the linebacker spot in the form of waiver wire pick ups or signing a player recently cut elsewhere.
Four down, 34 to go. The Colts must be at 53 players by 4:00 p.m. E.T. on Aug. 26.